One-Minute Khutbah Recap
“Rights & Responsibilities of Protesting”
Feb. 11, 2022, Kanata Muslim Association
– Allah has sent us to this world for a test
– He tests us in different ways, sometimes through what we desire and sometimes through what we dislike
– One of the ways people can get tested is through injustice
– Allah has commanded justice, great emphases on respecting rights of others, not wronging others, not oppressing others
– We are taught that we will be held to account for the smallest of wrongs committed towards others
– The truly bankrupt person will be who shows up on the Day of Judgement with many good deeds but has wronged others, all good deeds will be given away and when exhausted, they’ll take on the sins of victims and then they’ll be sent for punishment
– We are taught to respect the rights of others as individuals and when in leadership, the emphasis even greater
– The rightly guided caliphs used to take the burden of leadership very seriously, directly look after needy and vulnerable
– While the teachings are there instructing justice and respect for the rights of others, sadly injustices occur, oppression occurs
– Everyone wants fairness and justice for themselves, perhaps even want more – what is not fair for ourselves, which of course is wrong
– When a person feels they have been wronged, what should they do? How should they respond?
– Depends on the seriousness of the wrong that has been committed
– First option almost always to resolve the issue in the best way possible, then escalate step by step if there is no response or no remedy
– Civil or human rights matter (job, school, business, person): reach out, talk, write letters, make the case
– Report to relevant authorities, write to public representatives, take to court
– Criminal matter: report to authorities, push them to take action, prosecute
– If no remedy, then go public, share with media, social media
– Allah says: لَّا يُحِبُّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْجَهْرَ بِٱلسُّوٓءِ مِنَ ٱلْقَوْلِ إِلَّا مَن ظُلِمَ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ سَمِيعًا عَلِيمًا
“Allah does not like negative thoughts/evil/unpleasant things to be voiced—except by those who have been wronged. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” (an-Nisa, 148)
– Commentators mention various understandings of ٱلْجَهْرَ بِٱلسُّوٓءِ, including: might refer to backbiting (talking about the alleged wrong behind the perpetrators back is backbiting but allowed), cursing them (not as in using bad words or profanity, but praying against them for their deprivation), using harsh words
– It seems here Allah has recognized the pain and feeling of helplessness felt by one who feels wronged, allowed for them to share and express their anger, frustration
– While there is some leeway for the one who has been wronged, must be careful about language
– The Prophet ﷺ said:
لَيْسَ الْمُؤْمِنُ بِالطَّعَّانِ وَلا اللَّعَّانِ وَلا الْفَاحِشِ وَلا الْبَذِيءِ
“The believer is not a slanderer, one who curses much, one who indulges in obscenity or who in engages in foul talk.” (Reported by Tirmidhi)
– Nowadays, protests, rallies, shows of solidarity, marches have become a main form of activism for raising awareness on a large scale.
– Of course, such activities should not contain anything that is haram
– They should also not hurt others who are innocent or not directly related to the issue because in doing so, the victims or supposed victims can also become wrong doers
– The Prophet ﷺ said:
عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ إِيَّاكُمْ وَالْجُلُوسَ عَلَى الطُّرُقَاتِ فَقَالُوا مَا لَنَا بُدٌّ إِنَّمَا هِيَ مَجَالِسُنَا نَتَحَدَّثُ فِيهَا قَالَ فَإِذَا أَبَيْتُمْ إِلَّا الْمَجَالِسَ فَأَعْطُوا الطَّرِيقَ حَقَّهَا قَالُوا وَمَا حَقُّ الطَّرِيقِ قَالَ غَضُّ الْبَصَرِ وَكَفُّ الْأَذَى وَرَدُّ السَّلَامِ وَأَمْرٌ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَنَهْيٌ عَنْ الْمُنْكَرِ
“Beware of loitering in the roads.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, we have nowhere else to sit and talk.” The Prophet said, “If you insist, then give the road its rights.” They said, “What are its rights, O Messenger of Allah?” The Prophet ﷺ said, “Lower the gaze (from that which is prohibited to look at), refrain from harm, return greetings of peace, enjoin good and forbid evil.”(Reported by Bukhari & Muslim)
– A large protest can overflow on streets however every effort must be made to minimize harm to others
– The Prophet ﷺ said: لَا ضَرَرَ وَلَا ضِرَارَ مَنْ ضَارَّ ضَرَّهُ اللَّهُ وَمَنْ شَاقَّ شَقَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ
“Do not cause harm or return harm. Whoever harms others, Allah will harm him. Whoever is harsh with others, Allah will be harsh with him.” (Reported by Haakim and Bayhaqi)
– For the past 2 weeks, we have seen escalating protests starting from Ottawa and now spreading to other parts of the country
– Overall non-violent, a number of protesters have been causing harm – purposely or indirectly – to many residents; intimidation, harassment, purposely honking while driving in residential areas, harassing those wearing masks, blocking roadways, ambulances weren’t able to pass, peoples livelihoods being affected
– All of this is unacceptable and actually does more harm to the cause than good
– Among the supporters of these protests are some Muslims as well
– Nothing inherently wrong with supporting the initial grievance regarding vaccine mandates or related grievances, personal understanding/choice; not a matter ruled on by Allah and His Messenger ﷺ
– However, be aware, some of the key people in these protest movements are those who hate Islam and Muslims, who slander our leaders and our masajid/organizations, and are doing everything they can to hurt our community and our deen in this country and elsewhere
– This is not fake news, this is fact. So be very careful that while you protest the government, not to indirectly help such people rise in terms of legitimacy and power
– If you feel you have been wronged, certainly protest in ways that are legitimate but be careful not to harm others directly or indirectly
– This goes for these protests and any other protest
– May Allah grant justice to all those who have been wronged, may He protect us from injustice and oppression, and protect us from becoming those who perpetrate injustice and oppressions
